Mycobacterium bohemicum is a nontuberculous bacterium that has been isolated from human tissue, animals, and the environment. M. bohemicum affects soft tissue in animal cells.[1]Mycobacterium bohemicum was identified in 1998 when isolated from sputum that was produced by a 53-year-old Down's Syndrome patient with tuberculosis[2]M. bohemicum has been reported and documented in 9 patients worldwide.[3] Reports of the bacterium have been recorded from Finland and Austria. In children, M. bohemicum has induced laterocervical and submandibular lymphadenitis.[4] The excision of the subject's lymph nodes along with antimicrobial therapy increased the health of the subjects in less than 12 months.[1]
The lymph nodes of the subjects were minced and stained according to the Ziehl–Neelsen technique.[5] Within 12–17 days a culture was produced that could be analyzed on a molecular level "Richter". M. bohemicum contains combinations of α-, keto-, metoxy-, and dicarboxy-mycolates that are not commonly found in slow-growing bacteria [3]. Other distinct characteristics of M. bohemicum is identifiable by its unique 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence as well as its variation in the ITS sequence region of 16S-23S.[6]
Phenotypic Features
Sensitive to compounds such as prothionamide, cycloserine, clarithromycin, gentamicin, amikacin.[1]
Resistant to compounds such as isoniazid, streptomycin, ethambutol, rifampin, and ciprofloaxin.[1]
Optimum temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius.[1]
Enzymatic activity- weak positive test for urease.[1]
Genotypic Features
To identify M. bohemicum, its resulting sequence was isolated and compared to the international database.[2]
M. bohemicum has been phenotypically misidentified as M. scrofulaceum, however on the molecular level, the genetic makeup distinguishes the two starins of bacteria.[7]
Increased cases may surface as a result of improvement microbiological diagnostic analysis.[1]
^Tortoli, E.; Kirschner P; Springer B; Bartoloni A; Burrini C; Mantella A (1997). "Cervical lymphadenitis due to an unusual mycobacterium". Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 16 (4): 308–311. doi:10.1007/bf01695636. PMID9177965. S2CID40823785.
^Schulzke, S.; Adler H; Bar G; Heininger U; Hammer J. (2004). "Mycobacterium bohemicum—a cause of paediatric cervical lymphadenitis". Swiss Med Wkly. 134 (15–16): 221–2. PMID15190440.
